Zooming through Pregnancy to Parenthood

Orientation to UCSF Prenatal Care: A conversation with UCSF Obstetric Providers

This orientation webinar is designed for patients starting their prenatal care at UCSF. Our goals are to familiarize you with the landscape of prenatal care at UCSF and to help you navigate our system with increased understanding and satisfaction. We share what you can expect during your prenatal care at UCSF.

Discussion topics:

• Your options for prenatal care at UCSF (Individual meetings vs Centering, choosing your provider type, locations, etc)
• What to expect from your prenatal visits
• Who you may meet during your pregnancy Information on our Birth Center
• Where to access patient resources and education

Panelist(s): Kate Frometa, CNM (Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology) and Nazaneen Homaifar, MD, MBA (Assistant Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Select link for the 3/22/21 recording.

Early Pregnancy Loss (Miscarriage): Causes, Management and Next Steps

Between 10% to 30% of all pregnancies will end in miscarriage, although we rarely talk about it. This webinar explores causes of miscarriage, ways to manage it, and how to move forward after a miscarriage.
Panelist(s): Dr. Karen Meckstroth (OB/GYN and Director of the Women’s Options Clinic), Dr. Heather Huddleston (Reproductive Endocrinologist and Infertility Specialist and Director of PCOS Clinic), Melissa Whippo, LCSW
Moderator: Laura Weil, CNM, MPH
Select link for the 8/18/20 recording.

Nutrition and Immunity in pregnancy

During pregnancy, healthy nutrition is more important than ever. In this group session, we address the food choices that will directly affect your baby’s growth, development and the way you feel. We will also discuss supplements and foods that can improve immunity at this critical time. A holistic nutritionist www.endeavorfitwell.com/ joins us for this discussion and offers some strategies for forming healthy habits that will hopefully last a lifetime.
Moderator: Sasha Yamnik, CNM, MS
Select link for the 4/14/20 recording.

Common discomforts in pregnancy

With all the hormonal and physiologic changes that occur throughout the pregnancy, many people will experience various discomforts as the body gets ready for the birth. In this session, you will learn what is in the realm of normal and how to ease the common discomforts that may arise.
Moderators: Sasha Yamnik, CNM, MS and Talia Borgo, CNM, WHNP
View the FAQ's and select link for the 4/15/20 recording.

Stress reduction and sleep in pregnancy: Coping Mechanisms 

Pregnancy and the early months of parenting often come with elevated feelings of stress, and yet we know through research that keeping stress levels down during pregnancy can positively impact birth outcomes. In this session, we will discuss various strategies for stress reduction with a special attention on ways of improving sleep.
Panelist(s): Keri Brooks at www.endeavorfitwell.com/ (Holistic Nutritionist) and Allegra Lucas, LMFT at www.allegralucastherapy.com/
Moderator: Sasha Yamnik, CNM
Select link for the 4/21/20 recording.

Toxins in pregnancy: What can you do, what do we know? 

We've all read about toxins in the environment. Which ones should we be most aware of and what affects may they have in pregnancy? In this webinar, we will hear one of our expert perinatologists, Dr. Marya Zlatnik, delve into this complex topic to share what we know and how we can minimize these exposures for optimal health of the baby.
Panelist(s): Dr. Marya Zlatnik (Maternal Fetal Medicine)
Moderator: Laura Weil, CNM, MPH
Select link for the 5/13/20 recording.

What to expect during a visit to the Obstetrics Emergency Department (or Labor and Delivery Triage)

During your pregnancy, you may experience symptoms for which we recommend an evaluation in our Obstetrics Emergency Department (OB ED). What are different conditions that may bring to our OB ED? What can you expect from your visit and how long it will take? Who will evaluate you? Join our webinar to learn more about our OB ED and who you may meet along the way.
Panelist(s): Karen Spuller (NP at UCSF Birth Center), Dr. Chiari Corbetta-Rastelli (UCSF OBGYN Resident) 
Moderator: Sasha Yamnik, CNM, MS
Select link for the 10/5/20 recording.

Stages of Labor: What is labor? What can I expect? What can I do at home? 

New! What is labor and how many stages are there? What do those stages look like and how do I know if it's safe to try and labor at home? What can I do to try and maximize the time I labor at home? In this session, we'll review labor and techniques you may use to help labor outside and inside the hospital.
Panelist(s): Alicia Pollak RN and Shakkaura Kemet MD
Moderator: Becca Hess Amirault, WHNP, CNM
Select link for the 4/20/22 recording.

How to prepare a birth plan

Birth plans are a helpful way to express your preferences and desires for your birth and immediate postpartum period. This session will help you craft a birth plan, as well as answer questions about frequently requested birth plan items. We will also review recommended changes due to the pandemic as well as suggestions and ideas on how to use creative methods to benefit your birth experience and what might happen if things don’t go according to plan.
Panelist(s): Dr. Carolyn Phillips (UCSF OBGYN Resident)
Moderator: Becca Hess Amirault, WHNP, CNM
Select link for the 5/19/20 recording.

Induction of Labor: What to Expect

We routinely recommend that individuals who have passed their due date (41 weeks) or have certain conditions (like gestational diabetes or chronic hypertension) have their labor induced. In this session, we'll discuss what an induction of labor may look like and certain scenarios where you might start your induction at home.
Panelist(s): Robyn Lamar, MD and Alfreda Kessellie, RN
Moderator: Sasha Yamnik CNM
Select link for a recording. 

Upcoming dates: November 12 (in-person) 6-7pm | December 9th (virtual) 
To learn more, Information | Register

Outpatient Cervical Ripening

For more information on mechanical ripening of the cervix with a foley balloon, please watch this brief video. 

Elective Inductions: What are they, what is the evidence, and is it right for you?

What is an elective induction and how can you decide if its right for you? Have you heard people talk about "The ARRIVE trial?" This webinar will discuss the 2018 landmark study titled "Labor induction versus Expectant Management in Low Risk Nulliparous Women", otherwise known as the ARRIVE trial. We will review the evidence with one of our perinatologists, Dr. Melissa Rosenstein, discuss pros and cons, and help you decide if an elective induction is right for you.
Panelist(s): Dr. Melissa Rosenstein (Maternal Fetal Medicine)
Moderator: Becca Hess Amirault, WHNP, CNM
Select link for the 7/23/20 recording.

Cesarean sections at UCSF: Indications, risks, and expectations for how to prepare

About 21% of first time moms at UCSF will need a C-section for their delivery at UCSF. What can happen before and during labor to necessitate a C-section? What are the risks of a C-section and what should you know about the experience before going through it?
Panelist(s): Dr. Diana Robles (Maternal Fetal Medicine fellow), Dr. Margaret Carrasco Arias (UCSF OBGYN Resident)
Moderator: Sheri Foote, CNM
Select link for the 7/28/20 recording.

The immediate postpartum period: What to expect in the hospital and the first few days at home

In this webinar, we discuss the immediate postpartum period with the nurses and discharge providers that will help you with this process. We will talk about what recovery and healing looks like in the first few days, the milestones we will be monitoring to ensure a safe discharge, and the resources we can provide you in the hospital. We also discuss outpatient resources for your transition home.
Panelist(s): Carol Thomason CNM, IBCLC (Co-lead of Baby-Friendly Initiative), Ingrid Maccarthy (CNM, NP), Mei-Lani Bixby (RN on Labor and Delivery)
Moderator: Talia Borgo, CNM, WHNP
Select the link for the 7/2/20 recording.

Bringing baby home: baby safety and care

Bringing your baby home for the first time is a long anticipated moment for parents, who often feel both excited and nervous at the same time. In this session, we have invited pediatricians to discuss important safety recommendations and advice to care for your newborn in their first weeks of life.
Panelist(s): Dr. Faustine Ramirez and Dr. Jane Anderson, MD (pediatrics)
Moderator: Kate Frometa, CNM 
Select link for the 5/20/20 recording.

Sex, libido and contraception after delivery

An honest discussion on libido and sex during pregnancy and the postpartum period. One of our UCSF experts on sexual health, Dr. Tami Rowen, will join this webinar to give insight on this often overlooked but vital health topic. Additionally, we will explore options for hormonal and non-hormonal contraception, with specialized information for the breastfeeding period.
Panelist(s): Dr. Tami Rowen MD, MS
Moderator: Kate Frometa, CNM
Select link for the 5/6/20 recording.